SYNOPSIS

Nikki starts a new middle school, and is at a disadvantage against her fashionable, I-phone-carrying peers.

She makes three friends and a few enemies who quickly begin tormenting her. Nikki’s dad’s job, exterminator, doesn’t help.

A failed attempt to win a trip to New York City instead turns into a very profitable temporary tattoo operation.

Even though Nikki’s submission for the school art competition is ruined, her friends secretly prepare a better alternative.

Nikki’s tattoo art earns her recognition and accolades, while her friends help her believe in herself.

PERFECT AGE 9 – 11

We love

• Getting to the end of it and not needing to invest in the rest of the series… 🙁
• Fun illustrations

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• Unkind, berating, bullying behavior among girls at school, without much participation from / resolution by adults or the presence of teachable moments.
• Book falls easy prey to tired stereotypes – why is the girl a self-described ‘dork’? dad’s job is embarrassing?

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Nikki seems anxious to fit in at school by owning nice clothes and objects. What could she say to her parents to better explain why? What could they tell her to explain why that is not possible or important at the moment?
• Nikki is having a hard time managing the many tattoo appointments but is unable to communicate that to her friends. How could she better handle this situation?
• If you had interactions with a student like MacKenzie, who would you seek out for help> What actions would you take to defend yourself?